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President's Column
Have you found yourself wondering, "What the heck is going on at CLA?" Well my colleagues and friends, herewith is a detailed rundown of what's happened and what's next. I want to get you all up to speed.
Your leadership and task forces have been BUSY!
Task Force Work
Immediately after I took office at conference in San Jose last year, I appointed two task forces: a Technology Task Force headed by Gerry Calderon and a Transition Tool Kit Task Force headed by past president Margaret Miles. Both task forces completed their work. The Transition Tool Kit was distributed to members for help in understanding the upcoming bylaws changes and what it would mean to the structure of CLA and is available on the CLA website. The Technology Task Force's report to the Executive Committee recommended internal changes in hardware and software for CLA and is being used as an internal working document.
Sale of the CLA building and New Office
At the completion of Interim Executive Director Claudia Foutz's Business Assessment Report (8.2 MB), the Executive Committee made the fiscally sound decision to sell the midtown office building CLA had owned for many years. At the time the building was purchased it was envisioned as having excellent investment potential and a possible source for non-dues revenue. Over time, however, the building required various unexpected improvements that detracted from the anticipated non-dues revenue estimates. Continued ownership also required a substantial investment in improvements to bring the building into compliance with ADA legal requirements. However our mid-town Sacramento location remained in well sought after in the commercial real estate market. Without even listing the building, CLA received a competitive cash offer, with no contingencies, and at the close of escrow reaped over $350,000 in profit. These funds will be extremely important as we move forward in re-positioning CLA.
Interim ED, Claudia Foutz, found excellent office space to rent in the Natomas area of Sacramento, close to the airport and downtown. Through her association connections, for $1,000 a month we have office space that includes full janitorial support, furnishings, two offices, two cubicles, access to IT support, and use of one large and one small conference room. The CLA offices relocated to this space at the end of April. The new address and phone number are listed elsewhere in this newsletter issue. Of note, we share the building with the owner, the California Pharmacy Association.
Executive Director Recruitment
The Executive Board has completed two full recruitment cycles for a new Executive Director. It became clear, however, that before we can hire a new Executive Director, we must have adequate staff and infrastructure to support that person. Shortly after Claudia Foutz came on board as the interim ED, the administrative assistant moved out of state and Laura Fisher, the Administrative Director, became an independent consultant. However, Laura agreed to continue to work for CLA two days a week, and Richard Berta, with a degree in marketing, joined CLA as a full-time employee dealing with membership, communications, and marketing. The current staff now consists of Richard, full time communications, marketing and membership person, Laura, part bookkeeper/transition staff support, and Claudia, part-time Interim ED. Remaining fiscally prudent, CLA is delaying further hires until a new transition plan is completed.
Association Management Firms
In order to find an interim solution to CLA staffing and support needs, the CLA Board issued an RFP for an association management firm to take over operational support of our programs. The Board was looking for a firm that would have all the in-house staff needed to support a new executive director until such time as CLA is financially able to expand and hire its own in-house staff. Four responses were received, evaluated, and thoroughly considered. The Board voted to enter into negotiations with the Association Resource Center (ARC) who has over 45 support staff serving 19 associations. ARC is located in Folsom. Interim ED Claudia Foutz's contract has been extended for no longer than March 2010 to help with transition. ARC and Claudia will support my Conference Committee in providing you with an exceptional conference experience. At the same time, we will be working with ARC to continue the search for a permanent Executive Director.
Special Election
A special election was held in July for a new Vice-President/President Elect due to the resignation of Ken Haycock from that position. Kim Bui-Burton, Director of Library, Museum and Cultural Arts in Monterey won that election and has jumped into all the duties with only three months until she takes office as President.
Regular Election
The regular annual election will be held in September this year. The current Nominations Committee, headed by Immediate Past President, Monique le Conge, is working toward having a candidate slate ready. This year, due to the bylaws changes, as well as term expirations, we will be electing: Vice-President/President-Elect for 2011, Treasurer, and 6 at large members to fill out the new Board of Directors. If you would be interested in any of these positions, or know of someone you would like to nominate, please contact Monique at monique_leconge@ci.richmond.ca.us
In addition, as Vice-President, Kim is beginning her standing committee appointments and as President I am beginning to form the new Leadership Development Committee. There will be a call for volunteers for committees coming from the CLA offices, but feel free to contact either Kim or me, respectively, if you are interested in serving on the standing committees (Legislative, Finance, and all award committees) or the Leadership Development Committee. The Legislative Committee was not named a standing committee in the new Bylaws, but Kim will be making appointments will be made to that all-important group that will now be a Working Committee.
Conference 2009
Then of course, in addition to all this activity, the 2009 Conference Committee has been working incredibly hard to ensure that even with the economic down turn, shortage of CLA staff, and the fact that Halloween falls in the middle of conference, we will provide the best opportunity for all of us to get together for education, networking and rejuvenation. Early registration is open at 10% less than last year. I hope you all consider this investment in yourself and your staff and register for conference. I look forward to seeing you all in Pasadena!
"Reach Out!" Electronically
This newsletter, along with CLA's presence on Facebook and Twitter is our first foray into communicating with members quickly with 21st century tools. Our only full time staff member, Richard Berta, is to be commended for pulling us quickly into these mediums. I hope many of you are following along on Facebook and Twitter. I know our Second Life members are interested in having a CLA presence there too. And let me know if you'd be interested in being a Twitter "reporter" at conference this year!
State Librarian Vacancy
On behalf of CLA, I have sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger asking him to consider quickly filling the vacant State Librarian position now that the State has a budget. A response was received acknowledging the letter and thanking CLA for stating the importance of this appointment. Some Governor appointments are being made at this time, so let's hope this will be one of them.
Coming soon will be a strategic planning process complete with a membership/program gap analysis and SWOT that will be actively incorporated into the goals of the Board and reviewed by every future Board. This should result in continuity of purpose and forward movement. CLA is poised to develop into the incredible umbrella library professional organization it was always meant to be. We want to honor the past, and keep all that transfers into the future and modify where appropriate for transition and growth. This planning process will result in a dynamic strategic business and operational plan. There is much to do, but I know that with the continued support of all of you amazingly time generous members, CLA will rise to meet all your expectations.
Please let me know your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns at any time: barbara.roberts@palmsprings-ca.gov
Submitted to California Libraries by:
Barbara Roberts, CLA President
Posted on August 14, 2009 3:08 PM | Permalink